In a conference call this afternoon, Ducks general manager Bob Murray offered a pessimistic outlook for bringing back checking forwards Todd Marchant and Rob Niedermayer, and defenseman Francois Beauchemin.
Beauchemin, who is reportedly seeking a four-year contract in the $4.5 million range, has received lucrative offers from at least four teams.
“He’s going to get a big number,” the GM said. “It’s way out of my range.”
As for Marchant, Murray said that the versatile veteran rejected the Ducks’ initial offer last week, and there have been no talks since. Murray hasn’t had any talks with Kevin Epp, the agent for Rob Niedermayer.
Talks are ongoing with restricted free agent defenseman James Wisniewski, Murray said.